Adrian twisted in his seat, his heart skipping a beat as he turned to face the person who had patted him on the back. His eyes widened in shock when he recognized the boy standing there.

“Kael?” Adrian blurted, his voice a mixture of surprise and disbelief.

Kael tilted his head slightly, his trademark headband covering his blind eyes, though the corners of his mouth lifted into a faint smirk. “Who else?”

Adrian stared for a moment, his thoughts racing. What is he doing here? Kael hadn’t mentioned anything about coming to Mistral Royal Academy, or even leaving Willowbrook at all. “How are you even here?”

Kael chuckled softly as he dropped into the seat next to Adrian. His formal attire, a stark departure from his usual martial artist garb, still looked slightly out of place, the polished fabric at odds with his laid-back demeanor. Stretching his legs out in front of him, he rested an arm along the back of the bench, exuding a kind of casual confidence that turned a few heads nearby. “Same reason you’re here, I’m guessing. The entrance exam. Thought I’d try my luck.”

Adrian blinked, his mind tripping over itself to process Kael’s presence. “But… how did you even—?” He cut himself off, shaking his head as disbelief bubbled to the surface. “I didn’t think you’d ever want to come to a place like this.”

Kael leaned back further, clasping his hands behind his head with a grin that bordered on smug. “Gramps, wouldn’t stop hounding me about how I couldn’t just drift through life. Told me I needed to ‘try harder’ and ‘apply myself.’” He rolled his eyes dramatically. “Ended up drilling me every night until I could practically recite half the academy’s history in my sleep.”

Adrian’s jaw almost hit the floor. “Wait. You actually studied for this? You?”

Kael turned his head slightly, a playful glint in his sightless eyes. “Why does that sound so hard to believe? Don’t tell me you’ve already written me off as all brawn and no brains.”

A laugh escaped Adrian before he could stop it, shaking his head in genuine amusement. “It’s not that. I just… didn’t think you’d let anyone make you do something like that. You’ve never exactly been the studious type.”

Kael smirked, crossing one leg over the other with deliberate nonchalance. “Don’t underestimate me, Adrian. Besides, saying no to Gramps when he’s got that glare? Not a chance."

"But how do you read and write considering… you know."

"Gramps usually helps me out with that, and I have a note to give to the examiner about my blindness. So, I'll be fine

"Wait, that's it?"

"Yep, why make things complicated?"

As the two continued to talk, the tight knot of nerves in Adrian’s chest slowly loosened. Having Kael here felt like carrying a piece of home into this unfamiliar place. He let his eyes drift over the room again. Clusters of students filled the space, their voices blending into a low hum punctuated by bursts of laughter. Some practiced spells with restrained energy, while others lounged with an air of belonging that almost bordered on arrogance.

Kael followed Adrian’s gaze, his grin softening. “Looks like it’s just the two of us again, huh?”

Adrian nodded slowly, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint smile. “Yeah, it does. Kind of reminds me of when I first started looking for a party as an adventurer."

“History repeats itself, I guess. Except this time…” Kael nudged Adrian’s shoulder lightly, the gesture almost brotherly. “This time, you’ve got me. And let’s be honest, I’m all the backup you’ll ever need.”

“Thanks, Kael. I mean it.”

Before Kael could reply, the room fell into a sudden hush as the doors swung open with a soft creak. A well-dressed man strode inside, his tailored suit immaculate and his every movement exuding an air of authority. His silver-rimmed glasses caught the light as he glanced around the room, his gaze sharp and assessing.

“Settle down,” the man said, his voice firm but not unkind. “Take your seats, and prepare yourselves. The entrance exam briefing will begin shortly.”

The room filled with the shuffle of chairs and quiet murmurs as everyone took their seats. Adrian glanced at Kael, who slouched in his chair with his usual nonchalance, while Adrian straightened up, clutching the number “8” in his hand. The instructor stood at the front, flipping through a stack of papers on the podium.

Minutes ticked by, and the instructor’s sharp gaze lifted to sweep across the room. Clearing his throat, he adjusted his glasses. “My apologies, but it seems we’re still missing a few students. We’ll wait for them to arrive before starting the briefing.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

A ripple of annoyance spread through the room. A boy in the front row, dressed in an elaborate tunic embroidered with his house crest, stood abruptly, his chair screeching against the stone floor. “This is ridiculous We’re wasting valuable time sitting here waiting for a handful of stragglers.”

Another student, a girl with a haughty expression and golden hair tied in intricate braids, chimed in. “Agreed. If they can’t even arrive on time, why should we wait for them? This is supposed to be a test of merit.”

A few other students nodded or muttered in agreement, their whispers growing louder as the noble boy crossed his arms, clearly emboldened by the support. Adrian’s stomach tightened as he watched the instructor, expecting his polite demeanor to crack under the growing hostility. Instead, the man smiled: a thin, controlled smile that carried more weight than any scowl could.

“If you wish, you are welcome to leave the room now and explain to Princess Alisha of Luvandell why you were unwilling to wait for her arrival.”

The noble boy froze, his confident posture faltering. Around the room, whispers ceased as students exchanged nervous glances. The name hung in the air like a spark ready to ignite. Princess Alisha?

Adrian’s reaction must have been visible, because Kael nudged him with an elbow, his grin widening. “What’s with that look, Adrian? You recognize the name or something?”

Adrian blinked, forcing his expression into something neutral. “It’s just… seems familiar, that’s all,” he replied, keeping his voice as even as he could manage. Not sure why that name feels familiar though, I never kept up much with royalty.

Kael’s smirk grew more mischievous. “Oh, just familiar, huh? Don’t tell me you’ve been following every song and story about her.”

Adrian flushed, turning toward him. “What? No! I just… maybe I’ve heard it in passing.”

Kael leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying himself. “Right. Heard it in passing. Totally believable. Has nothing to do with the fact that she’s supposedly the most beautiful elf princess in the neighboring kingdom. Nope, not at all.”

Adrian groaned, slumping in his seat. “I’m not interested in that! I just—her name came up, that’s it. I don’t even know what she looks like.”

“Sure you don’t,” Kael said with a wink, his voice dripping with mock sincerity.

Adrian shot him a glare, his cheeks reddening. “Kael, seriously. Drop it.”

Kael chuckled, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “Fine, fine. Whatever you say. But if you’re blushing this hard just hearing her name, I can’t wait to see what happens if you actually meet her.”

Adrian sighed, shaking his head, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward despite himself. Why does he have to make everything a joke? Still, Kael’s teasing had a way of lightening the mood, and Adrian found himself relaxing despite the tension in the room.

A sudden knock at the door drew everyone’s attention. The instructor glanced toward it, raising a hand to silence the remaining murmurs. “Settle down."

The instructor stepped briskly to the door, his polished demeanor faltering for just a fraction of a second as he opened it. A sharp intake of breath escaped him before he quickly composed himself, standing straighter and smoothing his jacket. He stepped aside, bowing deeply. “Your Highness."

The room plunged into silence, the weight of the moment pressing down on every student. Adrian leaned forward slightly, and when the figure entered, his breath caught in his throat.

She was unlike anyone Adrian had ever seen, yet something about her presence struck a chord deep within him. Long pink hair cascaded in shimmering waves down her back, its soft hue contrasting sharply with the luminous green of her eyes. Those eyes, sharp and vibrant, swept across the room with a quiet authority that made the air itself feel heavier. She wore an impeccably tailored green coat, its high collar lined with silver embroidery, over a pristine white tunic. Dark, fitted trousers and polished black boots completed her attire, practical yet refined.

Adrian’s chest tightened as a deep sense of familiarity washed over him, so strong it made him forget to breathe for a moment. Wait, she has to be that elf girl I saw all those years ago when I first visited the academy. And despite only seeing her briefly… I could swear she feels much more familiar than she should be.

As her gaze swept across the room, it landed on him, and held. Her expression remained composed, yet something flickered in her eyes, a fleeting moment of recognition that mirrored his own. For an instant, the room felt distant, the sounds of chairs shifting and whispered breaths muffled by the unspoken connection that passed between them.

Then it was gone. She moved her gaze onward, and Adrian’s heart thudded heavily in his chest. What was that? He shook his head, gripping the edge of his seat. Get it together, Adrian. She’s just another student.

Next to him, Kael nudged him with his elbow. “Well, well. You looked like you saw a ghost there, Adrian.”

Adrian blinked, his focus snapping back to Kael. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, don’t play dumb. I saw that look. She stared right at you, and you just about froze. Don’t tell me you don’t feel something weird going on.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Kael raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Uh-huh. And now it’s her face that’s got you all worked up, huh?”

Adrian groaned softly, trying to dismiss the strange connection as a trick of his imagination. “Drop it, Kael. You’re making this into something it’s not.”

“Sure, sure,” Kael said, his voice low enough not to carry beyond their row. “But hey, if you want to pretend it’s just her name and not, I don’t know, the fact that she’s probably the most gorgeous princess on the continent, then that’s your call.”

Adrian glared at him again, but Kael’s teasing grin only widened. “I’m serious. I don’t even know her."

Kael chuckled quietly, clearly enjoying Adrian’s discomfort. “Alright, alright. I’ll back off. For now. But you’ve got to admit, this is shaping up to be a lot more interesting than I expected.”

Adrian tried to focus as the instructor straightened and turned back to the class. “Now that everyone is present, we will proceed with the entrance exam briefing. I expect your full attention.”